Press



C. L. KNOTT. PRESS. APPLICATION FILED 11mm, 1920.

Patented May 23, 1922.

CLYDE L. KNOTT, OF BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO UNITED SHOE MACHINERY CORPORATION, OF EATERSON, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

PRESS.

earner.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 23, 1922:.

To all iriiom 2'25 may concern:

lie it known that l CLYDE L. KNo'rT. citizen of the United States. residing at Beverly in the iounty of Essex and State of liliassaclmsetts. have invented certain lmpro'vements in Presses, of which the following description, in connection with the accompairving drawings is a specification, like reference characters on the drawings indicating like parts in the several figures.

This invention relates to presses and more particularly to presses of the type employed in cutting iect material by the use of freely nmvable dies.

A very efficient type of press, disclosed in United States Letters Patent No. 921,503, granted y 1.1.. 1909, on an application filed by r hur Bates and known commercially as the clicking machine. comprises charat-teristically a work supporting bed of considerable area and a presser member having a pressure surface of less area than that of the work supporting bed and movable laterally over the bed into and out of selected operative positions with respect to dies wherever they may be located upon the work on the supporting bed. Commonly the presser member is moved laterally of the bed under direct manual control and power means is provided for reciprocating the presser member dnring pressure applying operations, the latter comprising a post upon which the presser member is mounted for oscillation about the of the post. is originally designed the clicking machine was intended primarily for cutting blanks from relatively thin sheet material such as upper leather utilized in th manufacture of boots and shoes and for work of this character the machine has given complete satisfaction. However. in operating upon material which is much thicker and denser than the material used for the uppers of shoes. or upon fabrics arranged in layers, it is found that the presser memb r tips away from the bed during the application of pressure due to yielding of the frame of the machine, and that there is sometimes failure to drive the die completely through the work.

It is an object of this invention to provide an. improved press which while retaining all of the advantages of the com mercial clicking press, will be entirely satisfactory in an extended field of usefulness, more particularly in the cutting of relatively heavy and dense material and of fabrics in a multiplicity of superposed layers.

To this end the invention comprises in one aspect a press wherein the movable presser member has a direct bearing contact with a portion of the frame of the machine that is especially effective to receive and absorb the stresses and strains incidental to pressure applying operations.

In another aspect the invention resides in a press wherein the lower of the two bearings for the post which supports the presser member is provided with an exterior bearing surface for engagement with a correspondingly shaped bearing surface on an extension rigid with the presser member, the arrangement being such that the presser member is backed by the bearing surface to prevent tipping of the presser member during pressure applying operations over any and all parts of the work supporting bed.

In still another aspect the invention comprises a press wherein the movable presser member has a bearing for co-operation with another bearing on the machine located considerably above the plane of the work supporting bed and above the point of support of the presser member.

Another feature of importance in the construction by which th presser surface of the presser member is held in a plane parallel with the surface of the work support is that which relates to the strengthening of the frame of the machine and particularly of the C-shaped portion which furnishes the support for the post upon which the n'esser member is mounted. In. prior constructions the tendency to bend or twist the Cshapcd portion of the frame during the application of pressure was especially noticeable when the presser member occupied one of its operative positions at the extreme opposite ends of the bed. In the illustrative construction, this disadvantage is overcome by providing flanges or strengthening ribs on the C-shaped portion of the frame which are located respectively in line with the longitudinal axis of the presser member when the latter is positioned first in one and then in the other extreme operative position at the opposite ends of the work supporting bed.

Other features of the invention and other combinations of parts will be described in detail in the specification and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of an illustrative embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the machine shown in Fig. 1; and I Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a lower bearfor the post. in the illustrative construction the frame 4 provides a support for a work supporting bed 6 and also bearings 8 and 10 for a post 12 upon which is mounted the presser member let. As shown the presser member is fixedly secured to the post 12, the latter being mounted rotatably in its bearings 8 and 10. In an equivalent construction the presser member may be rotatably mounted on the post in which case the latter is fixed against rotation. For operating the presser member means is provided for reciprocating the post 12, the said means comprising, in the illustrative construction, a horizontal shaft 16 located in bearings in the frame of the machine and arranged to be driven from the power pulley 18 loosely mounted on the shaft and arranged to be connected to the shaft through a clutch mechanism (not shown) upon actuation of the starting means which comprises a handle 20. Extending between the shaft 16 and the post 12 is a link 22 pivotally attached to the upper end of an eccentric strap 2% surrounding an eccentric (not shown) on the end of the shaft 16. For a more complete disclosure of the operating means for the presser member, reference should be had to said Patent No. 921,503.

An important feature of the invention resides in the provision of means for taking up the stresses on the presser member during pressure applying operations and especially in such a construction as will relieve the post from all or a greater part of the strains and stresses heretofore imposed upon it in machines of this type. In the illustrative machine the presser member 14- has extending rearwardly from the presser member and in aliuement with the longitudinal axis of the presser member an arm or extension 30 rigid with the presser member and having a portion 82 provided with a bearing surface for engaging an exterior bearing surface 33 on the lower bearing 10 for the post. It will be clear that there is a considerable exterior bearing surface 2 on said bearing 10 since the portion 32 moves up and down over said surface and also rotates around the surface during oscillation of the presser member 14 over the work supporting bed. It will be understood that the arm 30 with its portion 32 in engagement with the bearing 10 will back up the presser member 1a during pressure applying operations and williprevent most effectively any tendencyof the presser member to tip away from the bed during such operations.

WVhile the bearing 10 in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. 1 comprises a member or sleeve separate from the frame, it affords a firm bearing surface since it is set down into the frame and is backed up on the side toward the block or bed 6 by a flange or web 13 cast with the frame and designed to extend about around the surface of the sleeve bearing 10. Moreover, the post 12 furnishes additional strengthening or backing means for the bearing sleeve 10 and hence the construction is such as to provide an unyielding and effective bearing surface 33 for co-operation with the portion 32 of the presser member. Another arrangement of co-operating bearing members for taking the thrust of the presser member 1a during pressure applying open ations is shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings wherein the lower bearing 11 is disclosed as an integral part of the machine frame, the exterior surface of the bearing being planed to furnish the bearing surface 33 for co-operation with the bearing surface on the member 32. By these constructions the 'post is relieved of all the strains and stresses to which it was subjected in prior machines and a bearing is made on the frame itself for the presser member whereby the general construction is greatly strengthened.

Extending upwardly from the presser member 14:, in the illustrated construction, is an arm 3% having a bearing 36 which engages the upper end of the post 12 above the upper bearing 8. It will be observed, therefore, that the postand the presser mem ber each have a plurality of bearings which are widely spaced from each other, the bearings for the presser member being so positioned as to furnish most effective resistance to the tendency of the presser arm to tip away from the work supporting bed.

For strengthening the frame of the machine and more particularly the upper part of the C-shaped portion which supports the post and consequently receives the stresses during pressure applying operations there is provided a novel form of C-shaped frame wherein, as shown, flanges are integrally formed with the C-shaped portion of the frame, the upper portions of the flanges extending respectively in line with the longitudinal axis of the presser member when the latter is first in one and then in the other of its extreme positions at opposite llD ends of the work supporting bed. Thus, viewing Figure 2 from the front of the work supporting bed, the flange 38 at the right of the operator serves to back up the presser member completely when the latter is in extreme position at the left end of the cutting bed while the flange 40 is effective in a similar way when the presser member is at the extreme right over the opposite end of the bed 6. In intermediate positions of the presser member 14L both flanges 88, 4O co-operate to take the strains incidental to operations on the work.

From the foregoing description it will be understood that sheet material to be cut is placed upon the work supporting bed 6 and a die or other cutter positioned in the desired location on the material, these operations taking place while the presser member is at one side of the bed. When the work is ready, the operator moves the presser member 14 over the cutter or die and causes power operation of the machine through the starting handle 20. Subsequently the presser member 1a is displaced to one side of the die which may then be freely manipulated in positioning it afresh upon the work, and the work itself inspected and, if necessary, repositioned prior to another cutting operation.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is z- 1. In a machine of the class described, a work supporting bed, a presser member movable laterally over the bed and also toward and from the bed in pressure applying operations, a post for supporting the presser member, said presser member having a portion arranged to provide a supporting connection between the presser member and the post, a plurality of bearings for the post and a plurality of supporting bearings for the presser member so arranged as to relieve I most of the strain on the post during pressure applying operations.

2. In a machine of the class described, a work supporting bed, a presser member movable laterally over the bed and also toward and from the bed in pressure applying operations, means comprising a post for operating the presser member, a plurality of bearings for the post in the frame of the machine, a bearing for the presser member on the post, and a bearing on the frame of the machine for said presser member whereby the strain of pressure applying operations is borne in large part directly from the presser member. to the frame of the machine.

In a machine of the class described, a work supporting bed, a presser member movable laterally over the bed and also toward and from the bed in pressure applying operations, means comprising a post for operating the presser member, and upper and lower bearings for the post in the frame of the machine, said presser member having a portion arranged to engage morably upon a bearing surface on the frame of the machine, whereby the presser member is supported directly by the frame of the machine during a pressure applying operation in any selected position of the presser member.

i. In a machine of the class described. a work supporting bed, a presser member movable laterally over the bed and also toward and from the bed in pressure applying operations, said presser member having a bearing extension, means comprising a post for operating the presser member, a plurality of bearings in the frame of the machine for supporting the post for rotation therein, means for connecting the presser member to the post, a bearing on the post for the presser member, and a bearing in the frame o f the machine arranged to be movably engaged by said extension from the presser member. whereby the presser member is supported directly by the frame of the machine during a pressure applying operation in any selected position of the presser member.

5. In a machine of the class described, a work supporting bed, a pressermember movable toward and from the bed in prcssuie applying operations, power means comprising a post upon which the presser member is mounted for operating the presser member, the machine frame having a portion provided with a bearing surface, and a member rigid with the presser member and having a bearing surface to co-operate with the bearing surface on the frame to prevent tipping of the presser member during pressure applying operations.

6. In a machine of the class described, a work supporting bed, a presser member movable toward and from the bed in pressure applying operations, power means comprising a post upon which the presser member is mounted for operating the presser member, upper and lower bearings in the frame for said post, the lower bearing having also an exterior bearing surface, and an arm rigid with the presser member and having a surface for engagement with the exterior bearing surface on the lower bearing.

7. In a machine of the class described. a work supporting bed, a presser member movable toward and from the bed in pressure applying operations, power means comprising a post upon which the presser member is mounted for operating the presser men ber. upper and lower bearings for the post in the frame of the machine, said lower bearing having an exterior bearing snrface, an arm rigid with the presser member and ham ing a bearing surface arranged to engage slidably with the exterior bearing surface of said lower bearing, and an arm extending a from the presser member and having a bearing on the post adjacent said upper bearing for the post.

8. In a machine of the class described, a work supporting bed, a presser member movable laterally over the bed and also toward and from the bed in pressure applying operations, power means comprising a post for reciprocating the presser member to eflect pressure applying operations, a plurality of bearings for the post in the frame of the machine within which the post is mounted for both rotation and reciprocation, said lower bearing having also an exterior bearing surface, the presser member having a portion mounted to engage with said exterior bearing surface during both rotation and reciprocation of the presser member.

J. In a machine of the class described, a work supporting bed, a presser member movable toward and from the bed in pressure applying operations, power means, comprising a post upon which the presse member is mounted, for operating the presser member, a portion of the machine frame having a bearing surface, and an arm or extension rigid with the presser member and having a surface for engagement with said bearing surface on the machine frame, whereby the presser member is supported against lateral movement directly by the frame of the machine during a pressure applying operation.

10. In a machine of the class described, a work supporting bed, a presse r member movable laterally over the bed and also toward and from the bed in pressure applying operations, means comprising a post for operating the presser member, a bearing in the frame of the machine for supporting the post for reciprocation therein, said presser member having an arm or extension provided with a bearing surface, and a bearing in the frame of the machine arranged to be engaged by the bearing surface on the extension from the presser men'iber during pressure applying operations with the presser member in various selected positions with respect to the work supporting bed.

11. In a machine of the class described, a Work supporting bed, a presser member movable laterally over the bed and also toward and from the bed in pressure applying operations, a post for supporting the presser member, and a bearing for the post in the frame of the machine, the machine frame and the presser member having co-operating bearing surfaces arranged to relieve the strain on the post during pressure applying operations.

12. In a machine of the class described, a work suppbrting bed, a presser member movable laterally over the bed and also toward and from the bed in pressure applying operations, a post for supporting the presser member, a bearing for the post above the point of support of the presser member thereon, and eta-operating bearing surfaces on the machine and on the presser member above the level of the work supporting bed and the point of support of the presser member on the post.

13. In a machine of the class described, a work supporting bed, a presser member movable laterally over the bed and also toward and from the bed in pressure applying op erations, a post for supporting the presser member, bearings for the post in the frame of the machine above and below the point of support of the presser member on the post, and (re-operating bearings on the machine and on the presser member located above the upper bearing for the post.

letv In a machine of the class described, a work supporting bed, a presser member movable laterally over the bed and also toward and from the bed in pressure applying operations, a post for supporting the presser member, upper and lower bearings in the frame of the machine for the post, said presser member having a portion which surrounds the post to provide a supporting connection between the presser member and the post, and an arm extending from the presser member and having a bearing to engage the post above said upper bearing.

15. In a machine of the class described, a work supporting bed, a presser member movable laterally over the bed and also toward and from the bed .in pressure applying operations, a member mounted in the frame of the machine and serving as a support for the presser member and containing the axis about which the presser member turns in moving laterally over the bed from one extreme operative position to the other at opposite ends of the bed, and flanges on the frame of the machine to strengthen the same and arranged respectively in line with the longitudinal axis of the presser member when the latter is located first in one and then in the other of its extreme operative positions.

16. In a machine of the class described, a work supporting bed, a presser member movable laterally over the bed and also toward and from the bed in pressure applying operations, and a post mounted in the frame of the machine and serving as a supportfor the presser member and coi'itaining the axis about which the presser member turns in moving laterally over the bed from one extreme position to the other at opposite ends of the bed, said. frame of the machine having a C-shaped portion to provide bearings for the post and having spaced flanges to strengthen the C-shaped portion of the frame, the said flanges being so arranged as to extend from the frame each in line with the longitudinal axis of the presser rigidly connected to the post, upper and lower bearings for the post located in the frame of the machine above and below the point oi the support for the presscr member, and an arm extending from the presser member and arranged to engage the post above the upper bearing for the latter.

18. In a machine of the class described, a woi; supporting bed, a presser member movable laterally over the bed and also toward and from the bed in pressure applying operations, a post for supporting the presser member, the presser member being rigidly connected to the post, upper and lower bearings for the post located in the frame of the machine above and below the rigid connection of the post and presser member, and bearing extensions of the presser member located above and below the rigid connection with the post and opera, tire to support the presser member during; a pressure applying operation.

19. In a machine of the class described, a work supporting bed, a presser member movable laterally over the bed and also toward and from the bed in pressure applying operations, a post for supporting the presser member constructed to rotate with the latter, upper and lower bear-inns for the post in the frame of the machine. and an arm extending rearwari'lly with respect to the presser member and the worn supporting bed and havinga bearing located above the upper bearing for the post and operative to absorb the lateral component ot the thrust during the pressure applying operation.

20. In a machine of the class described, a work supporting bed, a presser member movable laterally over the bed and also to- Ward and from the bed in pressure applying operations, a post for supporting; the presser member, a rigid connection between the post and presser member, upper and lower beari for the post in the trame (it the machine, and an arm extendingtrom the prcsser member and having; a bearing surface arranged to engage a bearing surface on the frame of the machine in proxinr ity to the lower bearing for the post.

21. In a machine of the class described, a work supporting bed, a presser member movable laterally over the bed and also toward and from the bed in pressure applying; operations, a post for supporting the presser member, a rigid connection between the post and presser member, upper and lower bearings for the post in the frame of the machine, and a plurality of bearings for the presser member so arranged as to relieve the strain on the post during pressure apply ing operations.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

CLYDE L. KNOTT. 

